‘Brahmotsavams’ begin at Ketaki temple

Jharasangam: The festivities of ‘Brahmotsavam’ at the Sri Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy temple, popularly known as Southern (Dakshin) Kashi, started on a grand scale here on Friday. Devotees in large numbers from Telangana and the neighbouring states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra throng the shrine during the nine-day celebrations. They believe that a mere glimpse of Lord Sangameshwara make them spiritually surcharged and they also take holy dip in the ‘Amrita Gundam’ in order to wash off their sins. They redeem their vows and offers prayers to the Lord.

On the first day, programmes like Ankurarpana, Dhwajarohanam, puja for Vighneshwara, Kumkumarchana for Mother Goddess and special prayers to Lord Shiva were offered. A Pallaki Seva was also performed during the night.

On Saturday, Rudrabhishekam for Lord Shiva, and Kumkumarchana for Mother Goddess and a Seshavahanaseva during the evening will be performed.

This temple finds mention in the Skanda Puranam. According to mythology, Lord Brahma came to this place for meditation after the creation of world and prayed to Lord Shiva. Shiva appeared as a Banalinga. He was showered with the holy water by Brahma. From then on, he was receiving puja on the advice of Brahma and the pooja is being performed by offering Ketaki flowers, which are usually not used for religious rituals. Ketaki, an Apsara prayed to Lord Shiva with Ketaki flowers for releasing her from a curse. Hence, Lord Shiva is called as Ketaki Sangameshwara Swamy.

Speaking to The Hans India here on Friday, the chairman of the temple committee Narasimha Goud said all the necessary arrangements have been made for the convenience of the devotees. Queue lines, drinking water, buses from Bidar, Zaheerabad and special arrangements for a holy dip in Amrita gundam are also being provided, he added.